Guide to the new e-toll dispensation

‘New dispensation’ on e-tolls will reduce costs for all road users

Changes to the Gauteng e-toll system will reduce the fi nancial burden on commuters but also ensure that the province’s world-class highway network is funded and adequately maintained in the future.

The “New E-toll Dispensation” announced by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on 20 May will continue to bring substantial benefi ts to users of all classes of vehicles, offer concessions to infrequent road users and create a more user-friendly administrative system. The user-pay principle, endorsed by both the national and provincial governments – and supported by most transport economists – remains in place. This is now strengthened by single rate of 30c per kilometre for light vehicles, lower monthly caps for all road users and the scrapping of toll-fees for commuters who are irregular users, who pass less than 30 gantries on the Gauteng freeway network per year. The bulk of Gauteng commuters – who travel on taxis and buses – will still be exempted from paying any tolls provided these vehicles are registered and fitted with e-tags. The e-toll system will, however, not be scrapped, the gantries on the Gauteng Freeway Network will remain in place and road users will still be required to pay if they travel on the province’s highways. The national and Gauteng provincial governments will fund the shortfall resulting from a lower income from e-tolls to enable SANRAL to meet its debt commitments and ensure a safe and well-maintained road network remains in place.

The primary features of the “New E-toll Dispensation” are:

For road users with a SANRAL account:

Following rates will apply:

Class A1 – 18c per km
Class A2 – 30c per km
Class B – 75c per km
Class C – 150c per km

Monthly toll fee caps reduced to:

Class A1 – R125
Class A2 – R225
Class B – R875
Class C – R2 900

• Time of Day Discounts will continue to apply if payment is made within the Grace Period.

For users who do not have a SANRAL account:

• A rate of 30c per km (Class A2)

• Monthly toll fee caps introduced:

Class A1 – R125
Class A2 – R225
Class B – R875
Class C – R2 900

For users who do not pay within 30 days of invoice:

- Will be liable for double the Toll Tariff but new monthly caps will apply as follows:

Class A1 – R250
Class A2 – R450
Class B – R1 750
Class C – R5 800

- No Time of Day Discount outside of the Grace Period.

The new tariffs will reduce the burden on low- and middle income communities who use the Gauteng freeway network to travel between home and work. A lower monthly cap means a signifi cant reduction in household income spent on transport costs while commuters will still benefi t from travelling on a worldclass road network, provided and maintained by SANRAL. The Gauteng freeway network will continue to play its role as the economic backbone of the southern African economy offering residents of the province, commuters, business and the transport sector a highway system of unmatched quality.

Distribution of costs on a 100% fuel levy

5% Low income
15% Middle income
80% High income

Usage of the GFIP by low income group

0% GFIP* car
1% GFIP* taxi & bus
99% Other roads

Source - E-toll advisory panel report

General